Output control method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

In an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image thereon, the apparatus informs a host computer of the timing of a paper sheet delivery and the percentage value of the progress of the paper sheet delivery so that the animation representing the progress of the paper delivery is accurately presented on the host computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an output control method andapparatus for analyzing input information coming in from outside andforming a visible image.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventional image forming apparatuses of a type like WPS(Windows Printing System) allow a host computer to execute part ofprocessing job of print data. In a technique for indicating to a user astatus of the apparatus, the apparatus starts its printing mechanism atthe moment the apparatus itself is initiated, and displays an animationindicative of paper delivery on the host computer screen.

[0005] In an image forming apparatus of a type which receives PDL (pagedescription language) language to form an image, its printing mechanismnot necessarily starts its printing immediately when data of one page ofsheet is sent to the image forming apparatus, because processing printdata takes time. Depending on the processing capability of the imageforming apparatus, all processing steps are in progress in the order ofan expansion of the print data into a frame buffer, an initialization ofthe printing mechanism, a printing, and a paper deliver, and a hostcomputer is unable to know the timing of the paper delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, in an image formingapparatus, communicating means, for bilaterally communicating with aconnected apparatus, bilaterally communicates information with theconnected apparatus, setting means, for setting a communication mode,sets the timing and content of communication with the connectedapparatus, storage means, for storing the communication mode set by thesetting means, stores the timing and content of the communication withthe connected apparatus, communicating means, for performingcommunication in accordance with the communication mode set by thesetting means, communicates with the connected apparatus, detectingmeans, for detecting a change in the status of an image formingapparatus, detects the change in the status, converting means forconverting the status detected by the detecting means into a format forcommunication, converts the change in status into the format forcommunication for the connected apparatus, data storage means, forstoring data into which the converting means converts the status, storesthe change in status for the connected apparatus, and transmittingmeans, for transmitting the data stored in the storage means, transmitsthe status of the image forming apparatus to the connected apparatus.

[0007] Furthermore in the image forming apparatus, storage means, forstoring the information about a usable paper sheet, stores variouspieces of information about the usable paper sheet, and detecting means,for detecting the position of each usable paper sheet under delivery, asdetecting means for detecting a change in the status of the imageforming apparatus, detects the delivery situation of the paper sheet.The apparatus, connected to the image forming apparatus, transmits imagedata to the image forming apparatus, performs bilateral communicationwith the image forming apparatus, and has displaying means fordisplaying an image. In the connected apparatus, receiving means, forreceiving data transmitted by the image forming apparatus, receives theinformation about the status of the image forming apparatus, transmittedby the image forming apparatus, analyzing means, for analyzing the datareceived, analyzes the status of the image forming apparatus, storagemeans, for storing graphics and characters, representing the analysisresult, stores an image for notifying a user of the status of the imageforming apparatus, associating means, for associating the informationanalyzed by the analyzing means with the image stored in the storagemeans, selects the image representing the status of the image formingapparatus, and displaying means, for displaying the image selected bythe associating means, presents the status of the image formingapparatus.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the outputcontrol apparatus preferably comprises communicating means for analyzinga command received from an external apparatus to form image data and forbilaterally communicating with an output apparatus, receiving means forreceiving data that indicates that the status of the output apparatuschanged, and control means for performing animation control based on thedata received by the receiving means.

[0009] The animation control preferably controls the start or end of ananimation. In the output control apparatus of the present invention, theoutput apparatus preferably comprises detecting means for detecting theposition of each usable paper sheet under delivery, as detecting meansfor detecting the change in the status of the output apparatus, andcontrols an animation that simulates the transport of the paper sheetbased on the information about the position of the paper sheet.

[0010] The output control apparatus of the present invention preferablycomprises transmitting means, connected to the output apparatus, fortransmitting image data to the output apparatus, displaying means fordisplaying characters and graphics, analyzing means for analyzing datareceived, storage means for storing graphics and characters,representing a analysis result, and associating means for associatingthe information analyzed by the analyzing means with an image stored inthe storage means, wherein an image selected by the associating means isdisplayed by the displaying means.

[0011] The communicating means for bilateral communication preferablycommunicates a command for returning a status when a change in thestatus of the output apparatus takes place and a command for controllingthe timing of the return of the status to the output control apparatus.

[0012] The animation control preferably controls the end of theanimation depending on whether the paper sheet delivery in the outputapparatus has been completed.

[0013] The transmission of the information indicating the change in thestatus of the output apparatus or the animation control is preferablycommanded to be enabled or disabled.

[0014] The received command is preferably a page description language.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the outputcontrol method preferably comprises the communicating step for analyzinga command received from an external apparatus to form an image data andfor bilaterally communicating with an output apparatus, and theanimation control step for performing animation control based on datathat indicates that the status of the output apparatus changed.

[0016] The animation control preferably controls the start or end of ananimation.

[0017] The output apparatus preferably comprises detecting means fordetecting the position of each usable paper sheet under delivery, asdetecting means for detecting the change in the status of the outputapparatus, and controls an animation that simulates the transport of thepaper sheet based on the information about the position of the papersheet.

[0018] The output control method preferably comprises the communicatingstep for communicating image data with the output apparatus, thedisplaying step for displaying characters and graphics, the analyzingstep for analyzing data received, the storing step for storing graphicsand characters representing the result of analysis, the associating stepfor associating the information analyzed in the analyzing step with animage stored in the storing step, wherein an image selected through theassociating step is displayed in the displaying step.

[0019] The communicating step preferably communicates a command forreturning a status when a change in the status of the output apparatustakes place and a command for controlling the timing of the return ofthe status.

[0020] The animation control preferably controls the end of theanimation depending on whether the paper sheet delivery in the outputapparatus has been completed.

[0021] The output control method preferably comprises the step ofcommanding to be enabled or disabled the information indicating thechange in the status of the output apparatus or the animation control.

[0022] The received command is preferably a page description language.

[0023] According to anther aspect of the present invention, the storagemedium preferably stores a program comprising the communicating step foranalyzing a command received from an external apparatus to form an imagedata and for bilaterally communicating with an output apparatus, and theanimation control step for performing animation control based on datathat indicates that the status of the output apparatus changed.

[0024] The animation control preferably controls the start or end of ananimation.

[0025] The output apparatus preferably comprises detecting means fordetecting the position of each usable paper sheet under delivery, asdetecting means for detecting the change in the status of the outputapparatus, and controls an animation that simulate the transport of thepaper sheet based on the information about the position of the papersheet.

[0026] The storage medium preferably stores a program comprising thecommunicating step for communicating image data with the outputapparatus, the displaying step for displaying characters and graphics,the analyzing step for analyzing data received, the storing step forstoring graphics and characters representing the result of analysis, theassociating step for associating the information analyzed in theanalyzing step with an image stored in the storing step, wherein animage selected through the associating step is displayed in thedisplaying step.

[0027] The communicating step preferably communicates a command forreturning a status when a change in the status of the output apparatustakes place and a command for controlling the timing of the return ofthe status.

[0028] The animation control preferably controls the end of theanimation depending on whether the paper sheet delivery in the outputapparatus has been completed.

[0029] The program preferably comprises the step of commanding to beenabled or disabled the transmission of the information indicating thechange in the status of the output apparatus or the animation control.

[0030] The received command is preferably a page description language.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the process of the embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0033]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the process of the embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0034]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the process of the embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0035]FIG. 5 lists statuses in the process of the embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0036]FIG. 6 lists statuses in the process of the embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0037]FIG. 7 is a memory map of a storage medium that stores variousdata processing programs read by an image forming apparatus of thepresent invention and by an apparatus to which the image formingapparatus is connected;

[0038]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention; and

[0046]FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing the process of theembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] First embodiment

[0048]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a printercontrol system of the present invention. The printer control system hereis for a laser beam printer. As long as the function of the presentinvention is accomplished, the present invention may be implemented in astandalone apparatus, a system constructed of a plurality ofapparatuses, or a system in which a process is executed through anetwork such as a LAN. A host computer 3000 includes CPU 1 thatprocesses a document in which graphics, an image, characters and tables(including spreadsheet) are mixed, under the control of a documentprocessing program stored in a ROM 3, a program ROM, and generallycontrols the devices connected to a system bus 4.

[0049] A program ROM 3 b of ROM 3 stores control programs and the likefor CPU 1, and a font ROM 3 a of ROM 3 stores font data used in theabove document processing, and a data ROM 3 c of ROM 3 stores a varietyof data used in the above document processing. RAM 2 functions as a mainmemory and a working area for CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5controls a keyboard 9 and a key input from an unshown pointing device. ACRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls the display of a CRT display 10. Amemory controller (MC) 7 controls an access to an external memory 11such as a hard disk (HD) and a floppy disk (FD) storing a boot program,a diversity of applications, font data, user files and edit files. Theexternal memory stores programs illustrated in flow diagrams in FIGS. 2and 3. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to a printer main unit1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21, and executescommunication control process with a printer control unit 1000. CPU 1performs expansion (rasterizing) of outline fonts into a displayinformation RAM set up in RAM 2, enabling a WYSIWYG display on CRT 10.CPU 1 opens a variety of registered windows in response to a commandgiven by an unshown cursor of a mouse on CRT 10, carrying out adiversity of data processings.

[0050] The laser beam printer (LBP) main unit 1500 comprises anoperation panel 1501 on which operation switches and LED display devicesare arranged, and the printer control unit 1000 for controllinggenerally the entire LBP main unit 1500 and analyzing print informationsupplied by the host computer. In the printer control unit 1000, aprinter CPU 12 generally controls the access to the devices connected toa system bus 15 under the control program or the like stored in aprogram ROM 13 b of ROM 13 or the control program or the like stored inan external memory 14, and outputs an image signal as output informationto a printer module (printer engine) 17 which is connected thereto via aprinter interface 16. The program ROM 13 b of ROM 13 stores the controlprogram of CPU 12 as illustrated in a flow diagram shown in FIG. 4. Afont ROM 13 a of ROM 13 stores font data used in producing the outputinformation, and a data ROM 13 c of ROM 13 stores information used inthe host computer when the printer has no external memory such as a harddisk. CPU 12 processes communication with the host computer via an inputsection 18, and is designed to report the information about the printerto the host computer 3000. RAM 19 functions as a main memory and aworking area for CPU 12, and its memory capacity can be expanded byadding an optional RAM on an unshown expansion port. RAM 19 serves as anoutput information rasterize area, an environment data storage area,NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) and the like. The access to the external memory14 such as a hard disk and an IC card is controlled by a memorycontroller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is optionally connected andstores font data, an emulation program and form data.

[0051] The external memory 14 includes at least one or more memoryunits, including an optional font card in addition to a built-in font,and a plurality of external memory units for storing programs thattranslate printer control languages of different language systems. Theexternal memory 14 may include a NVRAM to store printer setting modeinformation set by a command from the host computer.

[0052] The control flow of the process in the printer control systemthus constructed is discussed referring to flow diagrams shown in FIGS.2 through 4. FIG. 2 illustrates the process in which the host computermonitors the status of the printer. Prior to sending print data to theprinter, the host computer sends a command for setting the printer toreport a status when the state in the printer changes (201). When theprinter changes its state frequently, the time interval between thetransmissions of status is shortened, adversely affecting print dataprocessing. For this reason, the time interval for sending the status tothe host computer is set at the same time. Upon receiving this command,the printer performs the process shown in FIG. 4. The printer starts thetransmission of the status to the host computer (401) in response to thecommand requiring the setting of returning the printer status and thecommand requiring the setting of the time interval of the transmissionof the status. The printer sets the status indicative of its currentstatus in a transmission buffer (402). The printer transmits the contentin the transmission buffer to the host computer (403). The host computernow knows the printer status prior to printing. The printers determineswhether the printer status changed (404). The change in the printerstatus means that the printer is shifted from on-line ready (standby)state to another state, for example, test printing, data processing, anoccurrence of no paper, an occurrence of paper jamming or the like. Inthis embodiment, the printer is shifted from the standby state to a datareception or data processing because print data is sent from the hostcomputer immediately subsequent to the start of the status transmission.The printers determines whether a paper sheet is delivered (405). Sincethe delivery of the paper sheet does not start immediately, the processgoes to step 406, and a status indicating that the printer is receivingdata or processing data is set in the transmission buffer. The processreturns to step 403, where the printer transmits the content of thetransmission buffer to the host computer at the time interval set by thehost computer. When it is determined in step 405 that the paper deliverystarted, the printer sets, in the transmission buffer, the printerstatus and a value indicating how much the paper delivery is inprogress. The process returns to step 403, where the printer transmitsthe content of the transmission buffer to the host computer at the timeinterval set by the host computer. If there is no change in the statusin step 404, no step is taken. While no change takes place, the printertransmits the same status as the previously sent one at the timing whenthe content in the transmission buffer is to be sent. Returning to FIG.2, the process in the host computer is continuously discussed. After thehost computer transmits to the printer the command requiring the settingof the return of the printer status when the printer changes its status(201), the host computer transmits the print data to the printer (202).The host computer counts time for a predetermined constant duration(203). The constant duration is here the time during which the hostcomputer checks to see if the printer has sent the status indicative ofthe state of the printer, and is set separately from the time intervalfor the transmission of the printer status. In this embodiment, the timecounting duration is predetermined, but may be designed to be optionallyset. When the constant duration elapses, the host computer checks to seeif the printer has sent a status indicative of the state of the printer(204). The content of the received status is transferred to the controlof an animation program for displaying the printer status on the hostcomputer screen (205). Referring to the content of the status acquiredin step 204, the host computer determines whether the paper delivery iscompleted (206). When the paper delivery is not completed, the processreturns to step 203. Steps 203-206 are repeated until it is determinedin step 206 that the paper delivery is completed. When it is determinedin step 206 that the paper delivery is completed, the monitoring programends.

[0053] The status transmitted by the printer includes information aboutthe state of the printer, a total number of pages printed, and thelength of the paper sheet. The status is a fixed-length ASCII codeexpressed in a sequence of numbers expressed in 0-9 as shown in FIG. 5.The sequence of numbers is delimited by several digits to expressvarious states. More discussion on this will provided later. The statusis written onto the transmission buffer each time the state of theprinter changes. For example, when the printer is on ready standby, thestatus indicative of the standby is written onto the transmissionbuffer. When the printer is working on a test print, the status isupdated to indicate the test print in progress. When it is determined instep 407 in FIG. 4 that the paper delivery starts, the printer transmitsto the host computer the status of the printer and, along with it, thepercentage value indicating how much the paper delivery operation is inprogress. The percentage value is the ratio of the duration from thepaper delivery start to the moment the status request command isreceived to the total time (100%) from the paper delivery start to theend. For example, when a paper sheet takes 10 seconds from its deliverystart to end, the printer returns a value of 20% to the host computer atthe point 2 seconds later from the delivery start. Although thepercentage value may be set at steps of 1%, an approximate measureindicating how much the paper delivery is roughly in progress works.Returning a too detailed value simply increases a load imposed on boththe printer and the host computer. The percentage value of the totaltime for delivering one page may be divided into five or six. When apaper sheet takes 10 seconds for its delivery from start to end with thepercentage value divided into five, the printer returns to the hostcomputer a percentage of 20% within a time band extending from 2 secondsor later till 4 seconds, and a percentage value of 40% within a timeband from 4 seconds or later till 6 seconds. Since the time required forthe delivery of one page of paper sheet varies depending on its sheetsize, the time bands and their percentage are also varied, for example,one paper sheet size taking 15 seconds from start to end, results in 20%within a time band from 3 seconds or later till 6 seconds, and 40%within a time band from 6 seconds or later till 9 seconds. The timebands and corresponding percentage values in each sheet are beforehandstored in the printer. The animation program that is called in step 205in FIG. 2 is now discussed referring to the flow diagram shown in FIG.3. The animation program displays graphics and characters representingthe process of the printer on the host computer screen, and switches thedisplay depending on the progress of the printer processing. Graphicsused in this presentation respectively correspond to the statuses. FIGS.8 through 16 show examples in the windows of status monitors. In step205 in FIG. 2, the status indicating the state of the printer istransferred. The status includes information about printer states, forexample, ready (standby) state, no paper, paper jammed, the differencebetween ON-LINE and OFF-LINE, the sheet size, and the progress of printdata processing indicating standby state and state of data processing.The animation program receives the status including these pieces ofinformation in step 301 in FIG. 3. Comparing it with the previouslyreceived one (302), the animation program ends itself if the twostatuses are identical, and the host computer returns to the monitoringprogram (FIG. 2). If the two statuses are different, the animationprogram references a table that associates the statuses with graphics tobe displayed, and selects the graphics to be displayed (303). Forexample, the image in FIG. 8 is displayed in the on-line ready state(standby), the image in FIG. 9 is displayed when data is beingprocessed, and the image in FIG. 10 is displayed when the statusindicative of the detected forward end of paper is received. The graphicis now presented on screen (304). The animation program ends and thehost computer returns to the monitor program (FIG. 2). During the paperdelivery, of the information of the status, the value indicating theprogress of the print data processing is a percentage value thatrepresents how far paper feeding proceeds relative to the entire lengthof each paper sheet. For example, when six points are set up in thetotal time required from the start to the end of paper feeding, theprinter presents 16%, 33%, 49%, 66%, 82%, and 99%. An applicationprogram prepares six graphics corresponding to these percentage values.FIG. 11 shows a 16% progress, FIG. 12 shows a 33% progress, FIG. 13shows a 49% progress, FIG. 14 shows a 66% progress, FIG. 15 shows a 82%progress, and FIG. 16 shows a 99% progress in the paper feeding process.The host computer optionally sets the number of points representing thedegree of progress. The structure of the status is now discussedreferring to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows an actual status. As shown, thestatus is an ASCII code expressed in a sequence of numbers ranging from0 to 9. First five bytes are a status called “CJLCODE” to be used toexpress the printer status. Examples of its content are shown in FIG. 6.For example, “10000” denotes a ready (standby) state, and “10020”denotes a warm-up state. One byte subsequent to the first five bytes isan ON-LINE status, indicating whether the printer is off-line oron-line. “1” denotes ON-LINE while 0 denotes OFF-LINE. Subsequent twobytes are for the sheet size. The length of the paper sheet is expressedin centimeters. FIG. 6 lists the sheet sizes and their correspondingstatus values.

[0054] Subsequent two bytes are a status called “SUB-STATUS”, indicatingdata reception/processing, paper feeding, printing, paper transportelapsed time, and the like. FIG. 6 lists the numbers and their contents.When the number is within 05 and 99, it represents the elapsed time inpercentage from the start to the end of the paper delivery. Subsequentthree bytes are “PAGE-COUNT”, indicating least three digits of a totalnumber of pages printed by the printer. This number is incremented at“SUB-STATUS” at 04, namely when the printer detects the forward end ofthe paper. The host computer stores “PAGE-COUNT” of the status that isreceived when the printer is idling, and by subtracting the “PAGE-COUNT”stored during the idling from the “PAGE-COUNT” of the status receivedafter the start of the paper delivery, the host computer displays whatpage is being delivered. Last three bytes are reserved for a possiblestatus expansion. When the host computer requests the printer to sendthe status, the printer set these statuses to be sent to the hostcomputer. FIGS. 5(1)-5(11) show the change in status from the on-lineready (standby) state to print data reception to the end of paperdelivery. Cross-references with FIGS. 8 through 16 are also listed.

[0055] Second embodiment

[0056] In the above embodiment, the case in which paper sheets aredelivered in succession has not been discussed. When paper sheets aredelivered in succession, the percentage value of delivery starts for anext page even if the delivery of a preceding paper sheet has yet toreach 99%. In this way, an updated paper delivery situation is alwaysacquired.

[0057] Third embodiment

[0058] In the above embodiment, the paper delivery situation ispresented in animation. It is also possible to notify the user of theprinter status by displaying a picture and descriptive text on screen.

[0059] Fourth embodiment

[0060] When there is no need for recognizing the printer state onscreen, the transmission of the printer status and displaying of theanimation are disabled.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 7, data processing programs are discussed.

[0062]FIG. 7 is a memory map of a storage medium that stores variousdata processing programs read by an image forming apparatus of thepresent invention and by an apparatus to which the image formingapparatus is connected.

[0063] The information that manages a group of programs stored in thestorage medium, for example, information about the version of a programand the name of a programmer, is also stored, and information dependingon the operating system of the program reader side, for example, an iconidentifying each program, may be also stored.

[0064] Data under the control of each program is also managed in adirectory. A program for installing each program into the computer and adecompression program for compressing a compressed installation programmay also be stored.

[0065] The functions shown in FIGS. 2 through 6 may be performed underthe program installed into the host computer. The present invention maybe implemented when a group of information including programs aresupplied to the image forming apparatus from a storage medium such as aCD-ROM, a flash memory, or a floppy disk, or from an outside storagemedium via a network.

[0066] The storage medium holding a program code of software forcarrying out the functions of the embodiments is loaded in a system orapparatus. The computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus readsthe program code stored in the storage medium to execute the program.The objects of the present invention are thus achieved.

[0067] The program code read from the storage medium performs the novelfunctions of the present invention, and the storage medium storing theprogram code constitutes the present invention.

[0068] Available as storage media for feeding the program code arefloppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optic disk, CD-ROM, CD-R,magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM and the like.

[0069] By executing the program code read by the computer, the functionsof the embodiments are performed. Furthermore, the OS running on thecomputer performs partly or entirely an actual process according to theinstruction of the program code, and the functions of the embodimentsare thus performed.

[0070] According to the present invention, the transmitter side of datacan know the process in progress in the image forming apparatus evenwhen the image forming apparatus forms a visible image of received data,and presents an animation representing the paper delivery situation. Thehost computer monitors the paper delivery from its start, presenting nodiscrepancy between the animation of paper delivery and the actualprogress of paper delivery and thereby keeping the user informed ofaccurate information.

What is claimed is:
 1. An output control apparatus comprising:communicating means for analyzing a command received from an externalapparatus to form image data and for bilaterally communicating with anoutput apparatus; receiving means for receiving data that indicates thatthe status of said output apparatus changed; and control means forperforming animation control based on the data received by saidreceiving means.
 2. An output control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said animation control controls the start or end of ananimation.
 3. An output control apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid output apparatus comprises detecting means for detecting theposition of each usable paper sheet under delivery, as detecting meansfor detecting the change in the status of said output apparatus, andcontrols an animation that simulates the transport of the paper sheetbased on the information about the position of the paper sheet.
 4. Anoutput control apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:transmitting means, connected to said output apparatus, for transmittingthe image data to said output apparatus; displaying means for displayingcharacters and graphics; analyzing means for analyzing data received;storage means for storing graphics and characters, representing theresult of analysis; and associating means for associating theinformation analyzed by said analyzing means with an image stored insaid storage means, wherein an image selected by said associating meansis displayed by said displaying means.
 5. An output control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said communicating means for bilateralcommunication communicates a command for returning a status when achange in the status of said output apparatus takes place and a commandfor controlling the timing of the return of said status to said outputcontrol apparatus.
 6. An output control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said animation control controls the end of the animationdepending on whether the paper sheet delivery in said output apparatushas been completed.
 7. An output control method comprising: thecommunicating step for analyzing a command received from an externalapparatus to form an image data and for bilaterally communicating withan output apparatus; and the animation control step for performinganimation control based on data that indicates that the status of saidoutput apparatus changed.
 8. An output control method according to claim7, wherein said animation control controls the start or end of ananimation.
 9. An output control method according to claim 7, whereinsaid output apparatus comprises detecting means for detecting theposition of each usable paper sheet under delivery, as detecting meansfor detecting the change in the status of said output apparatus, andcontrols an animation that simulates the transport of the paper sheetbased on the information about the position of the paper sheet.
 10. Anoutput control method according to claim 7 further comprising: thecommunicating step for communicating image data with said outputapparatus; the displaying step for displaying characters and graphics;the analyzing step for analyzing data received; the storing step forstoring graphics and characters representing the result of analysis; theassociating step for associating the information analyzed in saidanalyzing step with an image stored in said storing step, wherein animage selected through said associating step is displayed in saiddisplaying step.
 11. An output control method according to claim 7,wherein said communicating step communicates a command for returning astatus when a change in the status of said output apparatus takes placeand a command for controlling the timing of the return of said status.12. An output control method according to claim 7, wherein saidanimation control controls the end of the animation depending on whetherthe paper sheet delivery in said output apparatus has been completed.13. A storage medium for storing a program comprising: the communicatingstep for analyzing a command received from an external apparatus to forman image data and for bilaterally communicating with an outputapparatus; and the animation control step for performing animationcontrol based on data that indicates that the status of said outputapparatus changed.
 14. A storage medium according to claim 13, whereinsaid animation control controls the start or end of an animation.
 15. Astorage medium according to claim 13, wherein said output apparatuscomprises detecting means for detecting the position of each usablepaper sheet under delivery, as detecting means for detecting the changein the status of said output apparatus, and controls an animation thatsimulate the transport of the paper sheet based on the information aboutthe position of the paper sheet.
 16. A storage medium according to claim13 for storing a program comprising: the communicating step forcommunicating image data with said output apparatus; the displaying stepfor displaying characters and graphics; the analyzing step for analyzingdata received; the storing step for storing graphics and charactersrepresenting the result of analysis; the associating step forassociating the information analyzed in said analyzing step with animage stored in said storing step, wherein an image selected throughsaid associating step is displayed in said displaying step.
 17. Astorage medium according to claim 13, wherein said communicating stepcommunicates a command for returning a status when a change in thestatus of said output apparatus takes place and a command forcontrolling the timing of the return of said status.
 18. A storagemedium according to claim 13, wherein said animation control controlsthe end of the animation depending on whether the paper sheet deliveryin said output apparatus has been completed.
 19. An output controlapparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the transmission of theinformation indicating the change in the status of said output apparatusor the animation control is commanded to be enabled or disabled.
 20. Anoutput control method according to claim 7 further comprising the stepof commanding to be enabled or disabled the information indicating thechange in the status of said output apparatus or the animation control.21. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the program furthercomprises the step of commanding to be enabled or disabled thetransmission of the information indicating the change in the status ofsaid output apparatus or the animation control.
 22. An output controlapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said received command is a pagedescription language.
 23. An output control method according to claim 7,wherein said received command is a page description language.
 24. Astorage medium according to claim 13, wherein said received command is apage description language.